Electrically-driven pump



lPatented Dec. 14, 129226.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

v ELECTRICALLY-DRIVEN PUMP.

Application i'led February 28, 1925.

r1`his invention relates to limprovements in electrically driven pumps. It relates particularly to the protective means for the electric motor of such a pump when the pump and motor are submerged under water,

oil or dangerous fluids.

The objects of the invention are to provide protective means for the electric motor of such a pump.

VIU The objects in detail are:

First, to provide an improved stuffing box with lubricating device and protecting means. l v

Second, to provide in such connection a pumping device for exerting back pressure for the protection bof the motor, associated with valve means. l

Third, to provide improved means of collecting any leakage water and returning it automatically to the supply to protect said motor.

Further objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation will appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of l,my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

:m A structure showing a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanyina` drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a detail vertical longitudinal sectional view of the upper part of the structure, divided and separated from the auxil iary protecting chamber means at the base.

Fig. H is a similar detail of the auxiliary protecting chamber means showing and repeating the part of the drawing of Figi lwhich shows the connection to the bottom' of the motor casing, the views being vertical sectional views with parts shown in full lines where desirable to make the same clear.

Similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts in the views and the parts will be identified by their numbers.

The pump shown is of the vertical type.

Serial N o. 12,274.

1 is the electric motor casing; 2 is the'field magnet; 3 is the armature; 4 is the motor shaft; 5 and 6 are the bearings for the motor shaft; and 7 is the oil circulating means for the lubrication of the motor, all of standard construction, to which details this invention does not pertain.

8 is the stuffing box for the motor shaft; 9 is the drive shaft for the pump; 10 is the coupling for the motor shaft to the pump shaft; 11 is the pump impeller; 12 is the pump casing; and 13 is the delivery pipe from the pump. The pump and other parts are of the usual construction for this class of work.

141 is the coupling chamber having a central conical upwardly-inwardly-projacting sleeve portion 15 fromthe bottom, the stuif- .ing box 8 being at the upper end of said sleeve. A reservoir is thus formed around the sleeve within the coupling chamber 14. 16 is the insulated auxiliary chamber secured to the bottom of the motor casing by suitable screw-thread 161, or otherwise. l

17 is the auxiliary pump casing on top of the coupling chamber 14 containing the protecting pump impeller 18 which is secured to the pump shaft 9. This impeller 18 surrounds an upwardly-projecting` sleeve 181 on the upper end or head of the coupling casing. The Acentrifugal impelller, or other pump arrangement, creates a back pressure at this point to protect the coupling cham4 ber when the pump is in operation.

19 is'the main stufng box shell which is preferably a central axial continuation of the auxiliarypump casing 17. The gasketis divided into parts 191 and 192, which'are separated by 'suitable washers and are retained in place by the gland 193 within the auxiliary pump chamber 17. The upper end of the stutiing box shell 19 serves as the coupling to the main pump casing 12. A

valve shoulder or collar 20 is on the pump shaft and drops down against a valve seat 201 formed in the casing underneath, and thus forms a valved closure to protect the motor casing, making a very effective closure and protection at that point when the pump is at rest. This valve may be located at any place on either the pump or motor shaft to protect the motor.

When the motor is started this valve collar is automatically raised from its seat, either by the action of the electric motor or byl the action of the pump impeller or otherwise, so

that it revolves when the pump is in action entirely out of contact with its seat, to avoid undue friction and wear.

I secure this result in various ways. In the electric motor it will be noted that the armature is down a little in the field and when the motor is started these parts have an effect to lift up and separate or tend to separate the valve collar from its seat. The impeller 11 is preferably designed to have a similar eifect to raise thepump shaft and lift the valve oif its seat. Of course, a centrifugal governor could be provided to do the same work mechanically. This is not shown, as such action in that behalf would vbe readily understood by any skilled mechanic. Y

Grease is suppliedy under pressure to the central space between the divided gasket parts 191, 192. This presses the packings outwardly and preserves a very tight joint when the grease is thus supplied under pressure, completely sealing the same. Grease is supplied through the pipe 21 delivering from the cylindrical grease chamber 211 con taining the grease 212 which is forced outby.,

the piston 213. The piston is;y forced yield-A ingly down by the coil spring 214. The pressure of the surrounding fluid has the same tendency.

The grease supply is controlled automatically by suitable automatic valve mechanism 30. This comprises a cylinder 301 containing piston 302 having a piston rod valve stem 303 terminating in a. valve 304, to cut off the supply 21. The piston 302l is held normally in elevated position, thus holding the valve 304 open by coil spring 305 beneath the under side of the piston and within the cylinder head. The opposite end of the cylinder 301 is connected by tube or passage 306 to the pressure side of the pump,

preferably to the chamber 12 as shown. It will be clear that` when the pump is at rest no pressure is exerted on the pist-.0n and the spring lifts the same,opens the valve and permits the grease to be delivered under pressure between the parts of the gasket packing.y This forces them tightly in position and fills the space under a higher degree of pressure ,than the surrounding medium, making an effective sealing and closure at that point.

` When the4 pump impeller 11 starts and v creates pressure', that pressure is delivered to the cylinder 301 and forces the piston down and cuts ofi' the supply of grease. This is lUnder ordinary circumstances the protection thus rovided is suflicient to protect the motor. owever, if the pump is to stand for along time accidents may happen to this equipment. Further than that, the pipe supplying grease under pressure may become clogged from a piece of waste or other obstruction, or it may otherwise fail of operation, in which event I have provided additional and other,-what may be styled emergencyf-protection- Within the coupling chamber, as I have indicated, there is provided a reservoir which is so located as to collect any leakage of water or other fluid that is being pumped which may leak within theysame.

Leadingdown from this chamber 14 is a pipe 141 or other connection delivering into an auxiliary reserve chamber 31 above the auxiliary insulated discharge chamber 16, being a section or division of the casing forming that chamber. This is provided with a bottom 162 through which is disposed a trap 163 providedwith a check valve 164 (see Fig. II), so that. fluid of leakage may be discharged from the coupling chamben down into this auxiliary chamber and flow out down into the discharge chamber 16 past the check valve 164 which opens in that direction. In the bottom of chamber 16 is a valved outlet 165, closed by the spring valve 166, so that. the contents may be forced out.

Within .the chamber is a float 167 connected to control the switch 168 which controls the circuit that supplies current through the conductor 169 to a heating element 32.

Itwill thus be seen that when'water or fluid accumulates in the coupling chamber, it drops down through the pipe or connection 141 into the auxiliary chamber 31, whence it delivers downwardly through the valved trap 163 into the insulated discharge chamber 16. 4When the iioat is raised sufficiently vto close vthe switch, the heating element 32 vforced open and the water is discharged.

This permits the float 167 to drop, opens the switch, and cuts off the current, the pressure soon drops because of the discharge of the contents, the check valve 164 can again open,

and any further accumulation can enter before and be discharged in the same way.

lll)

low, a stuling box within the llary pump chamber and for grease with pressure connection therefrom to the` central space be- This affords an additional protection for the electric motor driving the pump. i

While I have shown the chamber and the heat elements in a casing beneath the motor casing,`it is clear that these parts may be otherwise supplied or otherwise supported. The' form and arrangement is of no consequence, so far as action is concerned. The particular form is very convenient and effective in its relation to the other parts. The heating element can be operated from an independent circuit, although I prefer to operate it from the circuit for the motor controlled by the main switch 33, interposing suitable resistances 34 and providing additional conductor 35, in a well-known manner as seen from the illustration.

While I have shown'a means for raising the temperature of the water or other Huid to the boiling point, to develop pressure to discharge the same, and a float control for the circuit, modifications of the structure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and I desire to claim the invention broadly as well as specifically, as shown in the appended claims.

Having thus described my what I claim as new and desire by Letters Patent is:

l. In an electric pump, the combination of a pump, a shell axially connected thereto forming a casing for an electric motor, separated into a coupling chamber between the pump and the motor, and provided with an insulated discharge chamber for leakage becoupling chamber,` an electric motor within the motor chamber, the armature of which is below the field level when l,at rest so that it will be somewhat elevated when the motor starts, an auxiliary chamber with a stuiing box shell at its upper endv axially disposed between the coupling chamber and the pump, an upwardly-projecting sleeve in the auxila pump impeller secured to the shaft at that point to create back pressure and prevent the flow of liquid toward the mot-or, divided gasket packings within the said stuffing box shell, a. reservoir. piston therein and invention, to secure tween lsaid gasket packing parts to insure pressure in excess of the surrounding medium, an automatic cut-oit` for the greasesup-J ply comprising a cylinder with a piston and rod terminating in a suitable cut-o' valve, a spring for holding the same normally open, and a connecting passage from the pressure side of the main pump to deliver pressure to the cylinder to actuate the piston to shut ofi the grease when the pump starts, a valve collar on the pump shaft, ayalve seat therefor against which the valvel lcloses when the pump is at rest and which Iopens when the pump starts, a drain from the 'bottom of the ber and the pump,

couplingchamber to an auxiliarly storing chamber above the insulated discharge chamber, a check valve between said storage chamber and discharge chamber opening into the same, an electric heating element disposed within the discharge chamber', a

loatswitch for controlling a circuit deliverf ing current tothe said heating element, a

discharge passage with a spring-pressed motor, separated into a coupling chamber' between "the pump and the motor, a` stuffing box within the coupling chamber, an electric motor within the motor chamber, the arma ture of which is below the field level when at rest so that it will be somewhat elevated when the motor starts, an auxiliary chamber with a stuffing box shell at its upper end axially disposed between the coupling chaman upwardlyprojecting sleeve in the auxiliary pump chamber and a pump impeller secured to the shaft at that point to create back pressure and prevent the flow of liquid toward the motor, divided gasket packingsi within the said stuiiing box shell, a reservoir for grease with pressure piston therein and connection therefrom to the central space between said gasket packing parts to insure pressure in excess of the surrounding medium, an automatic cut ofi1 for the grease supply comprising a cylinder with a piston and rod terminating in a suitable cut-off valve, a spring for holding the same normally open, anda connecting passage from the pressure side ot' the main pump to deliver pressure to the cylinder to actuate the piston to shut off the grease when the pump starts, a valve collar on the pump shaft, a valve seat therefor against which the valve closes whenthe pump is at rest and which opens when the pump starts, and a source of electric supply for said electric means, coacting substantially as described,

3. In an electric pump structure, the coinbination of a thereto forming a casing for an electric motor, separated into a coupling chamber between the pump and the motor, and provided with .an insulated discharge chamber for leakage below, a stuiiing box within the coupling chamber, an electric motor within the motor chamber, an auxiliary chamber with a stuffing box shell at -its upper end axiallydisposed between the coupling chamber and lthe pump, an upwardly-projectingl sleeve in the auxiliary pump chamber and a pump impeller secured to the shaft at that point to create back pressure and prevent pump, a shell axially connected the flow of liquid toward'the motor, divided gasket packings within the said stuliing box shell, a reservoir for grease vwith pressure piston therein and connection therefrom to the central space between said gasket packing parts to insure pressure in excess ot' the surrounding medium, an automatic cut-0H for the grease supply comprising a cylinder with a piston and rod terminating in a suitable cut-off valve, a spring for holding the same normally .open, and a connecting passage from the pressure side of the main pumpvto` deliver pressure to the cylinderto ai tuate the piston to shut oft' the grease when the pump starts,a drain from the bottom ot the coupling chamber to an auxiliary storing chamber above the insulated discharge chamber, a check valve between said storage chamber and discharge chamber opening into the same, an electric heating element disposed within the discharge chamber, a ioat switch for controlling a circuit delivering current to the said heating element, a discharge passage with a spring-pressed valve in the bottom of the discharge chamber to yield under pressure to discharge the contents thereof, and a source of electric supply .t'or said electric means, coact'rng as described.

Il. In an electric pump structure, the combination of a pump, a shell axially connected thereto forming a casing for an electric motor, separated into a coupling chamber between the pump and the motor, a stuffing box within the coupling chamber, an electric motor within the motor chamber, an auxiliary chamber with a stu'ing box shell at its upper. end axially disposed between the coupling chamber and the pump, an upwardly-projecting sleeve in the auxiliary pump chamber, and a ump impeller secured to the shaft at that point to create back pressure and prevent the flow 'of liquid toward the motor, divided gasket packings within the said stuffing box shell, a reservoir for grease witlpressure piston therein and connection therefrom to the central space between said gasket packing parts to insure pressure in excess of the surrounding medium, an automatic cut-ofi:` for the grease supply comprising a cylinder witha piston and rod terminating in a suitable cut-olil valve, a spring for holding the same normally open, and a connecting passage from the pressure side of the main pump' to deliver pressure to the cylinder to actuate the piston to shut oit the grease when the pump sta 1ts. and a source of electric supply for said electric means, coacting substantially as described.

5. In an electric pump structure, the combination ot a pump, a shell axially connected thereto forming a casing for an electric motor, separated into a coupling chamberl between the pump and the motor, a stuffing box Within the coupling chamber, an electric motor within the motor chamber, divided gasket packings within the said stutiing box shell, a reservoir for grease with pres,

sure piston therein and connection therefrom to the central space between said gasket packing parts to insure pressure in excess of thesurrounding medium, an automatic eilt-off for the grease supply comprising a cylinder with a piston and rod terminating in a suitable cut-ofi' valve, a-spring for holding the same normally open, and a connecting passage from the pressure side of the main pump to deliver pressure to the cyl-l inder to actuate the piston to shut oi the grease when the pump starts, and a source ot' electric supply for said electric means, coacting substantially as described.

In an electric pump structure, the combination of a pump, a shell axially connected thereto forming a casing for an electric motor, separated into a coupling chamber between the pump and the motor, a stuffing box within the coupling chamber, an electric motor within-the motor chamber, divided gasket packings within the .said stuiling box shell, a reservoir for grease with pressure piston therein and connection therefrom to the central space between said gasket packing parts to insure pressure in excess oi' the surrounding medium, an automatic cutoii' for the grease supply controlled from the action of said pump, and a source ot electric supply for said electric means, coacting substantially as described.

'4". In an electric pump structure, the combination of a pump7 a shell axially connected thereto forming a casing for an electric motor, separated into a coupling chamber between the pump and the motor, a stuffing box within the coupling chamber, an electric motor within the motor chamber, an auxiliary chamber with a stutl'ing box shell at its upper end axially disposed between the coupling chamber and the pump, a sleeve l? projecting upwardly into the auxiliary pump chamber, and a pump impeller secured to the shaft. at that point to create back pressure and prevent the ilow oi liquid toward -thc motor, and a source of electric supply for said electric' means, coacting substantially as described.

8. In an electric pump structure, the combination of a pump, a motor for driving the same, a stufting box comprising a transversely divided gasket packing within the same, a reservoir for grease withspring loaded pressure piston therein, open to the action of the surrounding medium, and with connection to the central space between the divisions of said packing, as specified.

9. In an electric pump structure, the combination of a pump, a motor within a suitable casing, an auxiliary pump chamber with a stutling box shell at its upper end axially l therefor acting as specified.

disposed between the coupling chamber and the pump, an upwardly-projecting sleevein' the auxiliary pump chamber, and a pump impeller means in the auxiliary chamber to create pressure to prevent the flow of liquid toward the motor.

10. In an electric pump structure, the combination of a pump, a motor within a suitable casing, an auxiliary chamber with a stuiing box shell at its upper end axially disposed between the coupling chamber and the pump; and a pump means in the auxiliary chamber to create pressure to prevent ithe flow of liquid toward the motor.

11.- In an electric pump structure,. the combination of a pump, an electric motor suitably encased, a coupling chamber between the two, a drain from the bottom of the .coupling chamber, an insulated discharge chamber connected to the drain, an electric heating element disposed within the discharge chamber, and an automatic control switch to control the circuit to supply current to the heating elementI to discharge\ the contents of the discharge chamber, as specified.

12. In an electric pump structure, the combinatlon of a pump, an electric motor suitably encased, -a coupling chamber between said pump and motor, a stulfing lbox with divided packing, means for delivering grease'to said stuffing box under pressure, automatic control therefor connected to the said pump to shut off the grease when the pump starts, a valve collar on the connecting shaft, a suitable seat therefor to protect the motor, means for raising the said valve when the motor starts, a discharge chamber connected to' said coupling chamber to receive leakage therefrom, and automatic means in said discharge chamber for discharging the accumulation therefrom, coacting as specified.

13. In an electric pump structure, the combination'of a pump, an electric motor therefor suitably encased, a coupling chamber between said pump and motor, a stuffing box with divided packing, means for delivering grease to said stuffing box under pressure, automatic control therefor to shut off the grease when the pump starts, a valve collar on the connecting shaft, a suitable seat therefor to protect the motor, means for raising the saidvalve when the motor starts, a discharge chamber connected to the said coupling chamber to receive leakage therefrom, and. automatic means in said discharge chamber for discharging the accumulation therefrom, co-

A14. In an electric pump structure, thel combination of a pump, an electric motor therefor suitably encased, a coupling chamber between said ump and motor, a stuing .box with divided packing, means lcombination of a for delivering grease to said stuffing box under pressure, and autolnaticcontrol therefor to shut off the grease when the pump starts, coacting as specified.

l5. In an electric pump structure, the

combination of an encased electric motor, an auxiliary pump structure disposed and arranged to create back pressure to protect saidmotor while in operation, and a stutting box With grease seal to protect said motor when at rest.

16. In an electric pump structure, the combination of an encased electric motor, an auxiliary pump structure disposed and arranged to create back pressure to protect said motor While in operation, a stuffing box with grease seal to protect said motor when at rest, and a shouldered valve on the shaft acting as a valve to protect the motor when at rest.

17. In a submergible electric pump structure, the combination of a discharge chamber with electric heating element disposed and arranged to pump out the leak-l age water to electric pump.

18. In a submergible electric pump structure, the combination of an auxiliary pump,

protect the motor of said a stufling box with grease seal in it, a grease y, chamber with a pressure means to cause a t continuous pressure in excess of the surrounding medium, supplying said stuffing box, and a shoulder on the shaft acting as a valve, said combination disposed and arranged to protect the motor of said electric binat'ion disposed and arranged to protect the motor of said electric pump.

20, In a submergible electric pump, the .y pump, a motor below the i pump, a stuffing box with grease seal in it, a `grease chamber with a, pressure means supplying said stuffing box with grease under a continuous pressure in' excess of surrounding medium pressure, an automatic cut-olf for the grease supply to shut off the grease when the pump starts, and an auxillary pump device of the impeller type creat-l ing back of liquid toward the motor, said auxiliary pump protecting the motor while inoperation and said grease seal protecting the motor whileat rest.

21. In a submergible electric pump, the combination of a pump, a -motor below the supplying said stufling pressure and preventing the flow pump, a stuffing box with' grease seal in it, a grease chamber with a pressure means supplying said stuffing boX with grease under a continuous pressure in excess of surrounding medium pressure, an automatic cut-0H for the grease supply to shut oi the grease when the pump starts, and an auxiliary pump device to create back pressure 'and prevent the How of liquid toward'the motor, said auxiliary pump protecting the 'motor While in operation and said grease seal protecting the motor'while at rest.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set',y 

